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The word "purpose" gets tossed around often in the executive and organizational development world. As I continue to work with clients, I can see that they are failing to grasp the importance of having people that "Act with Purpose" on their teams. If you watch, you can really see the difference.

For some, purpose can be bold and transformative, aiming to solve the world's biggest problems. If you are one of these leaders, you may launch impactful organizations such as City Year, Tesla, and SKS Microfinance. These purposes are really exciting because they are missions to change the world in some way. Alternatively, your purpose can be to change your industry or to fill an unmet need, like Airbnb.com, Amazon, Google, PayPal, or Facebook. Then again, you may look at these examples and say, "My company can never be that exciting." My challenge to you is that you can still make your difference, even if it is not earth-shaking. It is important that you find that purpose. It is only with purpose that anything of consequence happens, and that purpose is what compels you and others to excel, gives work more meaning, and brings people together to want to serve others at extraordinary levels.

Have you ever noticed that when you act with purpose you perform with more energy and enthusiasm? You are willing to give more effort to something that really matters to you! Compare that energy and effort to something that may be important but does not pull at your heart. Worse, consider what your commitment is to an endeavor that has not captured either your mind or heart. You just go through the motions. Too often I find that most of the employees in companies are not engaged because they lack this kind of investment. Their leaders have failed to instill purpose.

You know you are acting with purpose when succeeding is not about the revenue or the profit. The sense of achievement is much greater than that. The purpose inspires your actions. It is compelling enough to get people to work around obstacles. They expect to encounter those obstacles and only see them as challenges to be conquered. When the purpose is important to someone they are inspired to volunteer for extra work. They volunteer to take on challenges and to solve problems. You know that purpose is missing when all of the company's problems and challenges are being pushed up to the leadership team.

Anyone can hire employees and get minimum performance out of them. You do this by hiring them and paying them a fair wage to do something they are good at doing and enjoy doing. While I do not have empirical data, I believe this gets you 25% of what the average employee is willing to the employer. When you have the right culture, that gets you another 25% of their effort. Given the right culture, with the right hire, instilling purpose will enable a company to get 100% commitment and investment from a team member.

Call Howard Shore for a FREE consultation at (877) 692-6211 to see how an executive business coach can help you run a more effective business or become a more effective leader.

As you would imagine, there is a huge variety of CD packaging available suited to many different possible functions. If you intend to post out promotional material for your business, organisation or event then you may need a slim, lightweight type of packaging such as a plastic wallet or a printed card wallet, depending upon your budget. If your disc is destined for the shelves in a retail environment then you may need a standard jewel case (the type that most music CDs are supplied in) or perhaps a DVD case for computer software which will accommodate a larger instruction booklet.

The project budget is usually the biggest concern when sourcing packaging but if presentation is more of an issue for your particular project then it would probably be useful to know a little more about your options. With that in mind, let's take a look at the most popular CD packaging types and their various costs and possible uses.

Plastic CD Wallets and Paper CD Wallets

A plastic or paper wallet is basically only to be used to protect the printed and recorded disc surfaces from possible scratches through light handling. They are the least expensive packaging option and are perfect if you are distributing promotional audio or data discs at an exhibition or sending them out in the post to promote music, images, data or software. They are not intended for potential long term use though, and although it is possible to include a printed card with information on inside the wallet, they are flat and are easily misplaced amongst mail, books or other more robust CD packaging types.

Printed CD Card Wallet

A printed card wallet is made from a thicker grade of material than the plastic or paper wallet and so will protect the CD to a greater degree and can also be printed with eye-catching images or information about the contents. Again, they are lightweight, low cost and are ideal if the disc is to be posted out. A printed CD card wallet is also a great option for an audio disc that will end up on a merchandise stall at your band's latest gig venue as you can transport a large quantity in a small space. They are ideal for inclusion with other promotional media or reading material and you may have frequently come across card wallets included with magazines or newspapers. They are also great for distribution at events or exhibitions where the printed panels can be used to convey essential information about the CD and its intended use.

They can be manufactured from 100% recyclable material or they can be specially finished with a glossy or matt surface depending upon your artwork requirements.

Printed CD Card Wallets are also available that will accommodate more than 1 disc, most commonly a double CD wallet. There are also variants available that can hold an information booklet.

If your requirement is for a slim-line packaging solution but you still have a large quantity of accompanying information, there is a tall CD Card wallet variant that is commercially available. These are twice the size of a regular card wallet in terms of height, roughly 246mm in height by 123 mm in width.

CD Trigger Cases and CD Clamshell Cases

A trigger case is a polypropylene plastic injection moulded case which is open along one edge to receive a disc. The opposite edge has a trigger mechanism inside for ejecting the CD. The Clamshell case is also an injection moulded polypropylene case but this type has a hinge at one side and a securing mechanism which passes through the centre hole of the disc to hold the case closed and the disc securely. Both of these packaging varieties are available in a range of colours but do not readily accommodate any printed paper parts so are purely to protect the disc from damage. The polypropylene manufacturing material is very flexible and robust; ideal for mailing out CDs but more expensive than a plastic or paper wallet.

Standard Jewel Cases and Slim-line Jewel Cases

The standard jewel case is the familiar type of CD packaging that most music discs are distributed in via a retail environment. They are made of a rigid polystyrene material that protects the disc well and holds the disc firmly in place on a moulded stud, but they can be prone to shattering under heavy abuse. Their main advantage is that they can accommodate other printed material such as an information booklet; in the case of a music CD this usually contains artwork, information about the musicians and the music on the disc and, very often, song lyrics. The aim being to provide a tangible experience for the end user to encourage them to buy the product in the first place and for them to continue listening to the CD providing a positive experience and attracting further purchases of future releases; basically, helping to create a fan base for musicians.

There is a slim-line version of the jewel case available. These can accommodate the front information booklet as with the standard case but not the rear tray card behind the disc. They are, obviously, slimmer than a standard case and lighter, so may be good for mailing purposes but tend to be less robust.

Whether you are a distributor or a manufacturer, stock happens to be the most important aspect of the trading business that you are in. To secure a warehouse premises that is just perfect for your needs there are things you must put into perspective first. Just because a warehouse is spacious enough does not usually mean that it is what your company needs. There are so many other factors that should be considered before the final decision is made.

What commodity specific facilities does it have?

Products are not the same. If you are in the food industry, then you must be extra careful with the warehouse you choose because food items are usually perishable and they can go bad without the best facilities in place. If your products require frozen, refrigerated and conditioned storage, then this is what you need to make sure the warehouse has for you. Consider your products and the perfect storage conditions for them and then choose a warehouse that will not disappoint you at the end of the day.

Apart from storage, what other services can I enjoy?

Warehouses are so competent today that they offer much more than just storage to make the process even more convenient for you the client. Apart from co-packing, and trans-loading, you will actually find warehouses that offer distribution and fulfillment services. With such a warehouse, you will have peace of mind with things such as orders because you simply need to instruct and guide distribution even without the need to be present. Some make it even easier by devising supply chain proposal that can be customized to match your needs to get the perfect solution for your goods.

How sizeable is the warehouse and its impact?

The size of the warehouse can determine the storage options that you have. Remember that most warehouses stack up products in metal racks from the floor to the ceiling to save space and this might not always be a good option depending on the products you have. Organizing the inventory on the floor could be a more suitable option, although this means taking up more space and could limit the amount of stock you can have stored in one go. Also important to remember when looking at the size is that you can find warehouses that are sizeable enough for your company needs only, but others are too large that the empty space could end up being shared by other customers. Consider if this is something you would be okay with or you would rather pay even for the empty space when you choose a warehouse that's bigger than your needs.

When looking at the best warehouse for your needs, always think long term, so that you do not end up choosing one you are likely to outgrow too quickly. Think about potential expansion of the warehouse if you intend to hire, storage for a considerable length of time, so you can be sure you are covered.

The best city right now for business-to-business warehousing and distribution in North America is St. Louis Missouri. St. Louis offers location, stable labor force, cost effective real estate and warehouse facilities and a stable, conservative economy without the peaks and valleys found in many other cities. Midwest contract warehousing might be all your company needs.

Owning a mobile home has many advantages in that they are low-cost, flexible and stress-free when it comes to having to pay mortgages or rent. Maintaining your mobile home, however, is an essential part of being a responsible owner. Carrying out regular work on your home and keeping up with the following jobs will ensure you keep your home in top shape:

Firstly, make sure your home is leveled as you will experience a multitude of problems if it is not set right. If you have cracks in your ceiling or walls or you can hear the floor creak when you walks then you are lily to need to address an unleveled home.

The skirting on your mobile home will need to be checked to ensure that there is adequate ventilation so you need to check on it regularly. If you see any dents, holes or cracks you need to fix straight away and if it looks severely damaged you will need to invest in new mobile home skirting. Poor skirting can also lead to vermin which can really do a lot of damage to your home.

Regular cleaning of both the interior and the exterior of your mobile home will keep it in overall good condition. You should ensure that all seals and weather stripping is intact and if damaged, you will need to replace. It is worth investing in a jet washer to give the exterior a deep clean every couple of months.

If you have a chimney connections or a flue on a wood stove you will need to get this inspected every year at the start of the cold weather period. You should always follow guidelines from your stove manufacturer to keep your stove working and to keep you safe.

You will need to inspect drains and gutters to check for any cracks or leaks. Leaving escaped water to do damage can be very costly and your health will be sat risk if your home becomes damp and moldy.

Check that all fixtures and fittings, such faucets and cupboard doors are in good working condition and replace anything that is broken. Many fixtures are designed specifically for mobile homes and can cost a little more money, but if your home looks good it will feel good.

Check your roof for any cracks, holes or signs of damage other than the usual wear and tear. Fixing up damaged areas of the roof will cost a lot less than having to replace a damaged roof. Having a well insulated roof is also very cost effective as it will save energy by keeping the cold out and retract the sun during warm weather.

Performing routine maintenance inspections can save you a lot of money and hassle so be sure to carry them out on a regular basis. Home is where the heart is and you do not want to fall out of love with your home for the sake of a few basic mobile home maintenance parts.

Noise pollution can be very annoying and distracting. You really cannot manage to concentrate on anything or even enjoy a good sleep where there is too much noise around you. Machine, lightweight constructions and open floor plans are some of the culprits behind noisy homes. Fortunately, something can be done to soundproof your home so you are able to enjoy some calm and quiet when you need it the most.

Enhance your windows

Double glazed and triple glazed windows are very effective in blocking sound. They have air layers that break passing sound and sound energy is lost. It is best to make considerations when building your house in a noisy area or to make enhancements to already existing windows.

Reduce noisemakers

When choosing your appliances, remember that there are models that have nosy operations and they can limit you from enjoying some quiet around the home. Buy models that are quieter in operation to enjoy a significant noise reduction around the home. Whether you are buying a dishwasher, fans or fridge remember to check noise levels. The appliances should also be in good working order all the time to eliminate vibrations, rattles and buzzing.

Use materials that are sound absorbing

What you need to remember is that softer surfaces absorb sound waves whereas hard surfaces tend to reflect them. You can use the soft materials such as padded carpeting and acoustic ceilings to minimize sound bouncing around your home. Drop ceiling systems and acoustic tiles also have good acoustical properties and they can be considered.

Enhance your doors

Soundproofing doors can get tricky, but you can start by sealing edges that transmit sound. It is also advisable that you install doors that block sound. Solid core doors block sound interference and eliminate the drum-like reflections that hollow core doors have. The doors might be a little costly, but they go a long way in soundproofing your home, especially when you also weather strip them.

Think about the garage door

The garage door is a very important addition to a home. When you select a door with internal foam insulation complete with interior panels, you will manage to minimize sound and noise. This is especially important if you have rooms right above the garage door. It will prevent outside noise from seeping in through the door. You also want to make sure that your door is properly maintained so it does not end up being a noise maker around your home.

Take care of noisy pipes

Pipes can chatter and rattle or even make loud bangs during different situations. One of the easiest ways of silencing the pipes is by using water hammer arrestor. There are however so many other ways of ensuring that the pipes do not make the annoying sounds.

Eliminate floor squeaks

Floor squeaks seem to be worse during the day when there are lots of activities and traffic around the house. You should fix squeaky stairs and floors to achieve a calmer home at any given time, regardless of how much traffic it receives.

Noise surveys can prove to be very helpful when construction is underway. With a noise survey report, you will not only make the right location choice for your property, but also take appropriate measures to construct soundproof buildings even in noisy areas.